The BetaFPV LiteRadio 4 is a budget friendly radio with built-in ExpressLRS module. If you’re considering the LiteRadio 4 as your first FPV controller—or perhaps as a secondary radio for your tiny whoops—this review should help you decide whether it fits your needs.
New to FPV? Learn the basics of radios in our buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Where to Buy
Get the LiteRadio 4 from:
BetaFPV clearly put effort into the packaging. The LiteRadio 4 comes well protected, includes gimbal covers, and ships with:
- USB-C cable
- A thick, beginner-friendly manual
- The radio itself
Specifications
- Channel: 10
- Color: Gray (Standard Version), gray blue (Twilight Limited Edition)
- Gimbal: Potentiometer (Standard Version), Hall (Twilight Limited Edition)
- RF System: ExpressLRS 2.4GHz
- RF Output Power: 25mW/50mW/100mW (adjustable)
- Simulator Connection: Bluetooth and USB-cable connection
- Supported Simulator: Most simulators and DJI Virtual Flight
- Port: Type C port (integrates data transfer and charging)
- Charging Power: 5V, max 3A
- Battery: Built-in 1S 2000mAh LiPo
- Run time: 4-5 hours at 100mW or max 8 hours at 25mW
- Dimensions: 172.5mm*118.5mm*72.5mm
- Weight: 210g
Design and Build Quality
The LiteRadio 4 is compact and lightweight, almost game-controller-like. I have a feeling it’s somewhat inspired by DJI’s Remote Controller 3 mainly because of the similar switch layout. Even the power on/off is the same – you tap the power button once then hold it for 3 seconds to turn it on. One thing they didn’t copy is the gimbal sticks which is a missed opportunity – you can’t remove them and store them on the back of the radio like the DJI.
Let’s be honest—this is not a premium radio. The shell is thin plastic, and if you squeeze the body, you’ll hear some creaking. There’s a bit of flex if you twist it too. But despite that, it doesn’t feel fragile. You’d have to deliberately abuse it to actually break it.
On the bottom, you have Bind button, USB port, and Setup button (used for gimbal calibration as well).
Gimbals
The standard version comes with potentiometer gimbals, NOT Hall-effect ones. BetaFPV offers a special edition that comes with Hall gimbals if you want.
I’ve seen complaints about the previous LiteRadios with jittery gimbals, I am happy to report that the new LiteRadio 4 I tested didn’t have this issue. They certainly aren’t premium gimbals, but they held their mid point and end points perfectly (1500 midpoints, 988–2012 endpoints) after calibration, without any jittering at all.
- Plastic gimbal bodies
- Metal stick ends
- Potentiometer sensors
- Stick height adjustable
If you are used to full size gimbals (like the ones in the Boxer, TX16S and T20S), you will probably find the stick travels on these tiny gimbals a bit limited. But for new pilots it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
There are gimbal trim buttons on the front, which is a nice addition. They are usually only useful for fixed wings without flight controllers, so if you don’t fly these, you don’t need to worry about them.
Switches & Controls
Despite ExpressLRS supporting up to 16 channels, the LiteRadio 4 is limited to 10 due to the number of physical switches available. But that’s more than enough for most people—personally, I only use four switches in most of my setups, so eight channels are usually plenty for me.
Here are the switches on the LiteRadio 4:
- Two 2-position switches (SA & SD)
- Two 3-position switches (SB & SC)
- Two momentary switches (SE & SF)
I found the switches surprisingly tactile, with enough resistance to avoid accidental flips during flight.
Connectivity & Charging
At the bottom, the radio has a single USB-C port that handles:
- Charging (up to 15W fast charge)
- USB Joystick mode for FPV simulators
- Configuring the internal ExpressLRS module
- Firmware flashing
Charging from empty to full normally takes less than 1 hour, and the 1S 2000mAh internal battery gives:
- ~8 hours at 25mW
- ~4–5 hours at 100mW
Internal ExpressLRS Module
The LiteRadio 4 has a built-in ExpressLRS 2.4GHz module with selectable output power:
Don’t be put off by the 100mW output – it might seem low, but for ExpressLRS radio link, even 100mW can easily get you 2–3km in open space (I’ve personally done it). ExpressLRS is insanely efficient when it comes to range. That said, this radio is perfectly fine for park flying and indoor whooping—but I wouldn’t trust it for long-range or high-reliability applications, it’s simply not what it’s made for.
There’s no module bay on this radio, so you cannot use external modules.
Software Configuration
This radio isn’t EdgeTX, and it has no screen, which means if you want to configure the radio, you must plug it into your computer, and use the BetaFPV Configurator app.
This configurator lets you:
- Change channel assignments
- Reverse channels
- Adjust scaling
- Set mode (Mode 1 or Mode 2)
- Configure RF power and packet rate
- Update firmware
The interface is beginner-friendly—far simpler than EdgeTX—but also far more limited when it comes to features. You can’t setup different profiles for individual models, and you can’t easily change radio settings in the field. Beginners may find it easier to pick up, but experienced pilots may find it frustrating.
Teardown
Here are some photos taking the LiteRadio 4 apart, showing the main board, battery, gimbals.
Final Verdict: Should You Get The LiteRadio 4?
The BetaFPV LiteRadio 4 might be the cheapest ExpressLRS radio out there, but is not for everyone.
It’s a budget radio designed for FPV beginners who want to spend the absolute minimum, or pilots with small hands. However, it’s NOT a radio you can grow with long-term. If you want something future-proof, you should consider the Radiomaster Pocket, which is only $15 more and it’s far more capable. Check out my review of the Pocket: https://oscarliang.com/radiomaster-pocket/
“But Oscar, I don’t have the extra $15…”
Fair enough, then the LiteRadio 4 is still a reasonable option.
